Responses_to_Industry_Questions_on_Official_RFP__3_Apr_13_.pdf

Updated 3 April 2013

Responses to Industry Questions in reference to RFP

FA4890-12-R-0019

#1. Can the government provide the MPF FTE count by site to ensure an accurate contractor pricing baseline is established for comparison/evaluation?

Government Response: As stated in previous responses to industry questions, this requirement will be awarded as a performance based contract that must be performed in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The number of personnel needed will be dependent on the individual offeror's technical approach to performing the requirements of the PWS.

#2. Is there an incumbent workforce?

Government Response: Yes, services are currently being performed under contract FA4890- 09-C-0002. This contract was awarded as a competitive 8(a) small business set aside to Alutiiq Business Services, LLC.

#3. What is the closing date and time for questions/clarifications?

Government Response: Originally, there was no specific closing date/time for questions/clarifications; however, Amendment 1 to the Human Resources/Multiple Personnel Functions (MPF) RFP FA4890-12-R-0019 had added such a date. In accordance with Amendment 0001, Section 6a – Addendum to 52.212-1, the closing date/time for all questions/clarifications is set as 4:00 PM EDT on 10 Apr 2013. The Government will do its best to answer all questions received via a posting to FBO, in as timely a manner as possible.

However, it is still the responsibility of the offeror to ensure its proposal is properly submitted in order to arrive prior to the proposal due date of 4:00 PM EDT on 22 Apr 2013.

#4. Section 1, Description of Services, tables in this section are described as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.; however the first table is marked as Table 1. Additionally, Table 2.4 is referenced but there is not a Table 2.4 but there is a Table 5. Please clarify table numbering to ensure offeror responds accordingly to instructions.

Government Response: The Table Numbering has been corrected via Amendment #1 of this solicitation. Please see Attch 1 MPF PWS 3 Apr 13 for the revised numbering.

#5. Section 1, Description of Services, 2.2 Program Management (Page 5). After paragraph 2.2, the numbering changes to 1.2.2 Application Support (Page 6). Are there missing sections? Please clarify section numbering to ensure the offeror responds accordingly to instructions.

Government Response: All paragraph numbering has been corrected via Amendment #1 of this solicitation. Please see Attch 1 MPF PWS 3 Apr 13 for the revised numbering.

#6. The Table of Contents and in 1.6.5, Equipment Management, the PWS references an Appendix 4 (GFE); however, offeror was unable to locate a GFE or Appendix 4 in the solicitation documents released. Will the government provide the issuing Appendix referenced?

Government Response: PWS Appendix 4, Government Furnished Equipment has been added and is included in Amendment #1 of this solicitation. Please see Attch 1 MPF PWS 3 Apr 13 for the revised numbering.

#7. In reference to solicitation document named Section 6a - Addendum to 52.212-1, 7.2 Past Performance Information (PPI) Contract Reference. The solicitation states: "This information is required on offeror, subcontractors, teaming partners, or joint venture partners considered critical to overall successful performance." Does the government have a definition for "critical" (i.e., percentage of work to be performed by subcontractor) or is this solely up to the discretion of the Offeror to determine "critical"?

Government Response: The definition of a “critical” subcontractor is at the discretion of the Offeror, as this will be dependent upon the technical approach proposed to meet the performance requirements of the PWS.

#8. According to Section 6a, para 3.1.: “If proposals are hand delivered, offerors shall contact the Contract Manager, Ms. Holly Prinzel at 757-225-7715 to schedule delivery.”

Does this include UPS deliveries?

Government Response: The above directions, “If proposals are hand delivered, offerors shall contact the Contract Manager, Ms. Holly Prinzel at 757-225-7715 to schedule delivery,” refers only if an offeror plans to personally hand deliver its proposal. If a contractor is using UPS, FedEx, or other mail/package delivery company, an appointment is not needed as long as the package is delivered between normal business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT to the issuing office listed in Block 9 of the Standard Form (SF) 1449:

Address: DO NOT OPEN IN MAIL ROOM ATTN: Mr. Phillip Nease and Ms. Holly Prinzel

ACC AMIC/PKCC

11817 Canon Blvd, Suite 306 Newport News, VA 23606-4516

Solicitation No. FA4890-12-R-0019, Volume # and Title

#9. Is the SBA 8a prime required to have the security clearance or can a team member (subcontractor) have the security clearance?

Government Response: The SBA 8a prime contractor and any of its applicable subcontractors is required to have the appropriate security clearance in accordance with FAR Subpart 4.4.

#10. Will the Contracting Office accept a joint-venture relationship or only prime/subcontractor relationships?

Government Response: Yes, a joint-venture teaming relationship is acceptable. Please note that in accordance with the RFP Section 6a, ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Feb 2012), para. 7.7, Teaming Partner Consent Letters are required.

#11. Will a mentor-protégé relationship be acceptable to comply with the security clearance requirement if the mentor has the security clearance and the protégé is an 8(a)?

Government Response: See response to Question #6 above.

#12. Item 6a, para 5.4: The solicitation states, "The offeror shall provide a cross-reference matrix" which seems to indicate a requirement, but then the RFP continues, "This is only a tool to assist in the proposal preparation process." Does the government require a cross-reference matrix be submitted as part of the proposal?

Government Response: Yes, the offeror shall provide a cross reference matrix indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the RFP, PWS, and applicable CLIN references.

Including this matrix will assist the review team in clarifying how each company plans to execute PWS requirements. However, this is only a tool to assist in the proposal preparation process and is not a substitute for the offeror’s responsibility to ensure that their proposal fully addresses all areas of the RFP.

#13. RFP p. 62, 52.222-42: The government has listed labor categories of PA I, II, III, and PCST. Are these the current labor categories for this work?

Government Response: Yes

#14. RFP p. 62, 52.222-42: Re: listed labor categories of PA I, II, III and PCST: Is substitution of other labor categories acceptable?

Government Response: Other labor categories may be acceptable; however, the proposed labor categories must be able to meet the technical approach of the offeror and perform all requirements of the MPF PWS.

#15. PWS pp. 3-4, 2.1: Reference is made to SGLI/FSGLI transactions but the quantity of these transactions is not given. Will the government provide this data for each location?

Government Response: PWS updated to reflect annual average of 1,000 transactions per base.

#16. PWS p. 23, 3.5.6.2: The PWS states that in case of mobilization, real world or exercise, the contractor will establish an identification station. Work could be up to 60 hours in a week. This required overtime pay to employees. Will overtime pay be directly billable to the government?

Government Response: No, overtime pay is not authorized. Contract Site Manager will schedule workers to meet requirements w/o exceeding 40 hrs per worker. The contractor must schedule workers to accommodate the requirement. This support will require more than one employee (for example: 2 employees working 30 hrs).

#17. PWS p. 23, 3.5.6.2: If overtime pay is not directly billable, will the government provide typical overtime hours for this work?

Government Response: See answer to question #15 above. Overtime is not authorized.

Management of employee MPF hours for mobilization, real world or exercises is determined by the staffing approach of the contractor.

#18. PWS beginning p. 29: ID Card Branch Site Reports are incomplete, missing Barksdale, Moody, Mountain Home and Whiteman. Will the government please provide these reports?

Government Response: All 13 Bases ID Card Branch Site Reports are included in RFP FA4890-12-R-0019 Amendment 0001, Attachment 1 PWS dated 3 Apr 13.

#19. PWS, p. 7, Table 4: Does the workload provided by the government incorporate all tasks required to support the Civilian Personnel Section (CPS) of the MPF? If no, what additional tasks are required?

Government Response: The current listing encompasses deliverables provided to the CPS. In accordance with the deliverables, Policy Guidance and the latest Air Force Instructions will also apply.

#20. Is there a requirement for Passport Administrators to have a Secret Security Clearance?

Government Response: In accordance with paragraph 3.1.1 and 3.1.11, at a minimum, contractor employees must have a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) or completed a National Agency Check (NAC) investigation before receiving a Restricted Area Badge. Contractor employees working in Client Support Administrator (Paragraph 1.7 of PWS) shall have a SECRET security clearance at contract start date.

#21. The RFP calls for the inclusion of two organizational charts. Are organizational charts in both Section 8.3.1 and 8.3.3 excluded from the page count?

Government Response: Yes

#22. The instructions state that we shall provide a detailed explanation of our QCP and the Evaluation Factors and the PWS ask for a QCP as part of the proposal. Is it the Governments intent for us to provide a synopsis of the QCP as part of our proposal and the final QCP upon/after award?

Government Response: Yes, your QCP should be part of your proposal and any adjustments can be made after award. Adjustments must still adhere to PWS standards.

#23. Will the Government consider the inclusion of language that will exempt the contractor for LDD due to conditions beyond the contractors immediate control? (Fire, Burglary, natural disaster, etc.)

Government Response: What the contractor will not be liable for with regards to LDD, are cirucmstances determined beyond their control. If LDD to GFE is due to negligence on behalf of the contractor, the contractor will be liable.

#24. Please define etc? (paper, dividers, tabs, ?????)

Government Response: The contractor is responsible for these consumable items, therefore, it is what the contractor deems necessary to execute the day-to-day oeprations.

#25. Question: Is it the intent of the Government for the $10,000.00 amount stated to cover travel for all sites in each CLIN POP, or does it apply to each site at an NTE value of $10,000.00 per site?

Government Response: The amount stated in the aforementioned CLIN is for all sites cumulatively and is only used for Government approved training. This amount is intended to fund all training for all sites.

#26. Is there a consolidated list of Government required contractor training requirements?

Government Response: The listing we have in the PWS consist of "Government Provided" training. Additional training provided by the contractor should ensure that all contractor employees are qualified to meet the labor categories/job duties for which they are hired to perform the requirement. An example of this is all CSA personnel are required to maintain at least an A+ certificitation.

#27. We are unable to identify the AF Guidance & Regulation reference to "VA-98-24-1" in Section 1, Description of Services, as it pertains to processing SGLI/FSGLI requests.

The referenced website (www.insurance.va.gov) does not appear to contain information for this reference. Would the government please verify this reference number and advise where it can be found?

Government Response: H-29-989-1 is the revised guidance. The website is:

(www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/resources_handbook_ins.asp)

#28. The PWS, paragraph 1.8, states, “The QCP shall include a process/training plan for all on-site personnel that ensures each employee meets the qualification requirements (education, training, and/or experience), as defined for this contract to perform the duties of the job for which they were hired.” Where in the contract are the qualification requirements defined?

Government Response: See response to Question #26 above.

#29. Would the Government please clarify that the exclusion of Holloman AFB CLINs for any adjustment as part of any future contract negotiations, is a correct statement?

If it is in fact correct, then would the Government please provide the rational and /or unique circumstance that will allow for this exclusion under an SCA based contract.

Government Response: Amendment 0001 – Section 6a - Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, para 9.1 has been revised to clarify that SCA adjustments are authorized for the Holloman AFB CLINs.

#30. Attachments 1, 2, and 3 are referenced as Drafts. Does the Governement intend to provide a final version of these documents, or are the documents provided in the RFP in fact the final?

Government Response: Draft has been removed from Attachment 1 – MPF PWS label.

Attachments 2 & 3 (ACC & AFGSC DD254s) are drafts until contract award when contractor contact information is incorporated. All information on the Draft DD254s is correct.